Evolution in physical accessibility measures in Brazilian schools according to School Census data

ABSTRACT In the educational context, the demand for accessibility measures is increasing as the thesis strengthens that the best place to educate students from the target audience of special education (PAEE) is in the regular classroom. This is primarily driven by significant advances in global movements for school and social inclusion, legislative changes in various countries, and applied scientific research in the field of education. Using documentation from the National Institute of Educational Studies and Research as a reference, the study aims to analyze how physical accessibility is defined and measured in Brazilian schools and whether there have been changes in the criteria evaluated. The data sources are the forms and microdata from the School Censuses of 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. The results present the dimensions and definitions, as well as data on issues related to physical accessibility in schools. Overall, the analyses have led us to conclude that we are still far from guaranteeing accessibility as a right in schools. Although legislation contains provisions that establish an obligation to comply, it also includes exceptions which create possibilities for failing to adequately meet the needs of the PAEE.